LB Josh Ross describes what 'sealed the deal' for Michigan

Orchard Lake St. Mary's Josh Ross is congratulated on the sidelines by his teammates after making a key interception in the fourth quarter at Novi Detroit Catholic Central in Novi, Mich. on Friday, Oct. 9, 2015. St. Mary's won the game 14 to 7.(Photo: Kimberly P. Mitchell DFP)

Josh Ross knew just about everything about Michigan after his older brother James played for the Wolverines the past four years.

The facilities and the academics, the players and the coaching staff were all familiar. Even when he was offered scholarships by Michigan State, Ohio State, Notre Dame and LSU, it was difficult to steal his attention.

When it came to the main thing he didn’t know -- new U-M defensive coordinator Don Brown -- Ross invested time in learning.

It was enough to seal a verbal commitment today from the Orchard Lake St. Mary's linebacker. The four-star prospect is ranked as the No. 7 inside linebacker and No. 188 overall player for 2017 in the 247Sports Composite.

“After I sat down with coach Brown, that kind of sealed the deal,” Ross said today after leaving Ann Arbor, where he announced the commitment on the radio. He then told the coaching staff in person at Schembechler Hall. “Looking at how I can fit in the defense, it was kind of perfect for me.”

The sitdown over the weekend lasted a couple of hours, during which they watched film and talked.

“I never really met him before like that,” said Ross, who stands 6-feet-2 and 225 pounds. “It’s how much he has the linebackers moving around, blitzing, filling gaps, plugging holes, getting tackles for loss, getting in the backfield. I like that type of stuff. That’s what his defense is all about, and I fit real good in it.”

James and their father have been involved, step by step, in the recruiting process. James guided his brother but didn't push him in any direction.

But he always had a sense where Josh was headed. He kept stealing James’ U-M clothes for himself.

When they started talking about a decision date, James suggested that he try to limit his options by the summer and have a decision before OLSM began its season this fall.

“It’s amazing,” said James, who was in the car with his brother today. “That foundation I laid at Michigan will just continue. It’s a great experience and a great thing to see.”

Though they have similar builds, James noted that Josh is a different type of linebacker, one suited to Brown’s system.

“He’s more sideline-to-sideline type of guy,” James said. “He’s a longer, rangier guy than me. I felt like I was more shifty and quicker. He’s able to run people down. And he’s definitely going to be a problem when it comes to the opponents.”

OLSM put him in the starting lineup as a freshman, even though he only weighed 190 pounds at the time.

“He’s got that unique talent of finding the ball,” OLSM coach George Porritt said. “He reacts to the ball so well and (has) that instinctive ability to get to the ball. He’s got a lot of strength and power and is an intelligent kid. Works at the game, loves the game and plays it with passion.”

When Porritt was asked to come up with a defining play of Ross’ career, it wasn’t a bone-crushing hit. Instead, he recalled a game from Ross’ freshman year, when he made an interception against Toledo Whitmer.

“He made a pick that was basically out of his zone and went up high out of the air and just snagged it,” Porritt said. “That let us know, as coaches, what kind of player this young man is going to be early on. And of course, he’s continued to have plays like that.”

Just this season, he made an interception in OLSM’s state championship win.

“I just pride myself on wanting to make a play,” Ross said.

His next step, he said, is trying to recruit for Michigan, including 2017 Detroit Cass Tech star Donovan Peoples-Jones.